Executive Committee
Laura Hunter
Chief Executive
“The fire in my belly about smoking was ignited at the age of 10 when I moved to Australia and felt the full force of the anti smoking education campaigns by my year 5 teacher. I photocopied the posters and sent them back to my Irish aunties who were smokers, who haven’t let me ever forget it! That began my advocacy journey which was bolstered by a science degree, a move into public health and now to ACOSH. This organisation has such an incredible track record and I’m passionate about continuing it and being a voice for change.”
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Laura has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Nutrition and Human Biology, and previously worked at Cancer Council WA and Healthway, developing and implementing evidence-based approaches in public health and health promotion. This has included coordination of state-wide research programs, strategic alignment of health promotion programs with translational frameworks, and driving specialised strategic initiatives for government agencies.
Professor Andre Shultz
President
“As a paediatrician and respiratory physician, I’m confronted by the large number of Australian children who are still exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco, particularly in populations which are disadvantaged. I’m also extremely concerned by the tobacco industry targeting children and young people simply to expand the market for e-cigarettes knowing it causes nicotine addiction and exposes young lungs to a myriad of harmful substances. I know that we cannot drop our guard and I’m proud to be part of ACOSH that has been leading anti-tobacco advocacy in Australia for decades.”
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He is a MRFF Investigator and previous NHMRC TRIP Fellow. He is a Chief Investigator for the Centre for Research Excellence in Respiratory Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children (AusBREATHE) and Deputy Chair of the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Data Registry Steering Committee. His research focuses on improving lifelong health trajectories from early childhood, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Vic Andrich
Vice President
“I grew up with my Mum smoking, and while I’d never liked it, it wasn’t until I was at Uni doing environmental health that I began to see the big picture – the terrible health effects and financial burden on so many other people, and the fact it’s a voluntary risk that no one needs. As an Environmental Health Officer I’ve spent my life striving to make the system more robust so that we can end smoking no matter which political party is in power. That’s why I’m part of ACOSH which has successfully fought the vested interests of the tobacco industry and been at the forefront of all the important reforms.”
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Professor Jonine Jancey
“30 years ago I started my public health working life at the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACCOSH). I was enamoured by the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff and appalled by the tobacco industry’s techniques to secure new young customers, and their complete disregard for the misery they spread – nothing good comes from any part of the entire tobacco supply chain. I then moved into a university academic role in the School of Population Health at Curtin University where I have focussed on applied research relevant to ‘real world’ health actions and outcomes. I have now returned to tobacco control, and I am keen to bring my skill set and hopefully do my bit to support ACOSH and its aim to positively impact peoples’ lives by reducing and preventing the uptake of tobacco and now e-cigarettes.”
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Trish Fowler
Treasurer
“As a nurse working for close to fifty years, I’ve seen so many patients who wouldn’t be in hospital except for smoking. People who are struggling for their next breath but still go outside for a smoke, babies born too early or too small because of smoking in pregnancy, young children with respiratory issues because of second hand smoke at home. And while we have made so much headway, the tobacco industry is now shamelessly targetting our children and young people with vaping. That’s why I’m still at ACOSH and why their advocacy work exposing the industry and calling for change, remains more important than ever.”
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Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis
Executive Member
“It saddens me that harmful commodity industries are allowed to get away with selling products that kill millions of people every year, and I find it appalling that these industries have begun targeting future generations to safeguard their profits. We should not be putting corporate profits before people’s health. I admire the work ACOSH is doing to advocate for a tobacco and nicotine free future, and I am excited to be a part of their endeavours.”
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Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis has expertise in health promotion, intervention development and evaluation, behavioural psychology, and clinical psychology. She works across multiple and diverse health-related behaviours including alcohol and tobacco control, nutrition, and physical activity. Michelle works as a researcher and consultant for a broad range of organisations covering the not-for-profit and government sectors.